U.S. patent application number 17/268785 was filed with the patent office on 2021-08-19 for storage container provided with lid.
The applicant listed for this patent is KING'S FLAIR MARKETING LIMITED. Invention is credited to Tsan Ho CHAN, Siu Wah WONG.
Application Number | 20210253310 17/268785 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005623968 |
Filed Date | 2021-08-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210253310 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
WONG; Siu Wah ; et
al. |
August 19, 2021 |
STORAGE CONTAINER PROVIDED WITH LID
Abstract
The present invention relates to a storage container comprising
a container body (18), a lid (16) placed on the container body, and
an actuation apparatus configured to actuate the lid (16) to move
between a closed position where the container is in the closed
state and a release position where the container is in the ready to
open state. One or more body cam surfaces (1852) are arranged on an
outer surface of a side wall of the container body (18), and one or
more lid cam surfaces (1642) are arranged on an inner surface of a
neck portion of the lid in such a manner that the body cam surfaces
(1852) are configured to oppose the corresponding lid cam surfaces
(1642). The lid (16) is locked in the closed position by moving the
lid in a first direction so as to bring the lid cam surfaces (1642)
to abut on and engage with the body cam surfaces (1852), and the
lid is moved to the release position by moving the lid in a second
direction so as to disengage the lid cam surfaces (1642) from the
body cam surfaces (1852). The mechanism for opening and closing the
storage container is easy to manufacture, and simple and effortless
to operate.
Inventors: |
WONG; Siu Wah; (Tortola,
VG) ; CHAN; Tsan Ho; (Tortola, VG) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KING'S FLAIR MARKETING LIMITED |
Tortola |
|
VG |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005623968 |
Appl. No.: |
17/268785 |
Filed: |
August 15, 2019 |
PCT Filed: |
August 15, 2019 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB2019/056922 |
371 Date: |
May 10, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62833077 |
Apr 12, 2019 |
|
|
|
62764930 |
Aug 16, 2018 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 45/20 20130101;
B65D 51/242 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 45/20 20060101
B65D045/20; B65D 51/24 20060101 B65D051/24 |
Claims
1. A storage container includes: a container body having a bottom,
a side wall extending upwardly from the bottom, an internal storage
space surrounded by the side wall, a top edge and an open top
defined by the top edge, a lid placed on the container body for
opening and closing the open top, comprising a plate-shaped portion
and a neck portion extending downwardly from at least a part of
opposite sides of the plate-shaped portion, and an actuating
apparatus configured to actuate the lid to move between a closed
position where the storage container is closed and a release
position where the storage container is ready to open,
characterized in that, one or more body cam surfaces are arranged
on an outer surface of the side wall of the container body at one
or more positions adjacent to the open top, and one or more lid cam
surfaces are arranged on an inner side surface of the neck portion
of the lid in such a manner that the lid cam surfaces are
configured to oppose the body cam surfaces respectively, and the
lid is locked in the closed position by moving the lid in a first
direction so as to bring the lid cam surfaces into abutment on and
engage with the body cam surfaces, and the lid is moved to the
release position by moving the lid in a second direction so as to
disengage the lid cam surfaces from the body cam surface.
2. The storage container according to claim 1, characterized in
that the storage container further comprises a handle having a
pivot through which the handle is pivotally mounted on the lid, and
the actuating apparatus is configured as a gear rack and pinion
mechanism, the gear rack and pinion mechanism comprising: a gear
rack arranged on a flange of the side wall of the container body,
and at least one gear portion engageable with the gear rack,
wherein the gear portion is connected to the pivot of the handle
and defines a plurality of pinions, wherein pivotal movement of the
handle relative to the lid drives the gear portion to rotate so
that the plurality of pinions alternately engage with the gear
rack, thereby moving the lid to cause the lid cam surfaces to
engage with or disengage from the respective body cam surfaces.
3. The storage container according to claim 2, characterized in
that the gear portion comprises a base, the base comprising a plate
element having a first end which extends transversely from the
pivot of the handle, and a second end from which the plurality of
pinions extend downwardly.
4. The storage container according to claim 3, characterized in
that the neck portion of the lid comprise a cutout to allow passage
of the pivot of the handle therethrough, the pivot being held
pivotally in place.
5. The storage container according to claim 2, characterized in
that the container body further comprises one or more guiding
protrusions on a same side of the body cam surfaces to guide
positioning of the lid relative to the container body and guide the
lid to move between the closed position and the release
position.
6. The storage container according to claim 1, characterized in
that the actuating apparatus is configured as a locking flap
foldably or pivotally connected to the container body, and the
locking flap defines a locked position where the lid is locked by
the locking flap in the closed position, and an unlocked position
where the lid is releasable to the release position.
7. The storage container according to claim 6, characterized in
that the locking flap is foldably or pivotally connected to the
side wall of the container body, the locking flap having a first
end portion provided with a snap-fit projection, and the
plate-shaped portion of the lid together with a portion of a lip
extending downwardly from the plate-shaped portion define a
snap-fit groove, wherein the snap-fit projection is engageable with
the snap-fit groove when the locking flap is folded or pivots
downwardly into the locked position, and is disengageable from the
snap-fit groove when the locking flap is folded or pivots upwardly
into the unlocked position.
8. The storage container according to claim 6, characterized in
that the locking flap is foldably or pivotally connected to a
connecting portion extending upwardly from the top edge of the
container body, with the locking flap having at least one snap-fit
projection in operative cooperation with a snap-fit groove formed
on the plate-shaped portion of the lid, wherein the snap-fit
projection is configured to come into contact with the snap-fit
groove to drive the lid to move to the closed position in the first
direction during the process of folding or pivoting the locking
flap downwardly to the locked position, and come into contact with
the snap-fit groove to drive the lid to move to the release
position in the second direction during the process of folding or
pivoting the locking flap upwardly to the unlocked position.
9. The storage container according to claim 8, characterized in
that the locking flap comprises a plate-like piece foldably or
pivotally connected to the connecting portion, and a L-shaped
element extending downwardly from the plate-like piece, wherein the
plate-like piece, the L-shaped element, and the connecting portion
form together a channel for receiving an inwardly recessed portion
of the lid, and wherein the snap-fit projection is arranged at a
bottom of the L-shaped element.
10. The storage container according to claim 1, characterized in
that the lid has a pivotal side detachably pivotal on the container
body and an implementing side opposite to the pivotal side.
11. The storage container according to claim 10, characterized in
that the pivotal side of the lid comprises a downwardly extending
portion having an inverted T shape, the downwardly extending
portion comprising an upright element and a transverse element
transversely extending from the upright element, wherein a pivotal
point forms outwardly at each of two opposite ends of the
transverse element; and two lugs in spaced-apart fashion are formed
on one side wall of the container body, each lug having a slot
therein, wherein the two lugs are positioned such that the two
pivotal points of the downwardly extending portion are movably
received in the respective slots.
12. The storage container according to claim 11, characterized in
that the slot is L-shaped, comprising a horizontal slot portion and
a vertical slot portion, and the pivotal point is movable in the
horizontal slot portion between a distal end in communication with
the vertical slot portion and a proximal end away from the vertical
slot portion, and wherein the lid is detachable from the container
body when the pivotal point is positioned at the distal end, and
locked to the container body to close the open top when the pivotal
point is positioned at the proximal end.
13. The storage container according to claim 10, characterized in
that one or more spaced-apart tabs extending downwardly from the
lid are provided on the implementing side of the lid, each of the
tabs having a hook member at a free end thereof, and wherein a
flange is formed on the side wall of the container body, and one or
more through holes are positioned on the flange, the through holes
being sized and positioned so that the respective tabs are
detachably and movably received in the through holes, or vice
versa, that is, one or more of the through holes are formed on the
implementing side of the lid, and one or more of the tabs are
provided on the side wall of the container body.
14. The storage container according to claim 13, characterized in
that the through hole is provided as a stepped hole for engagement
with the hook member when it moves in the stepped hole to a
position away from the container body so as to lock the lid in the
closed position, and the hook member disengages from the stepped
hole when it moves in the stepped hole to a position adjacent to
the container body so as to render the lid in the release
position.
15. The storage container according to claim 10, characterized in
that the handle is configured to rest on the implementing side of
the lid in the closed position, and the pivotal side of the lid is
provided with a side rim surrounding the pivotal side, wherein the
side rim and the handle are structured and sized to be
complementary to each other in a manner that they form together an
annular ring that snaps fit into an outer circumferential edge of
the lid.
16. The storage container according to claim 1, characterized in
that the storage container further comprises a seal element
arranged in an annular groove of the lid, and wherein the lid cam
surfaces are brought into abutment on and engagement with the body
cam surfaces to bias the seal element against the inner wall of the
container body, thereby creating a seal between the container body
and the lid, and the seal element is released when the lid cam
surfaces are disengaged from the body cam surfaces.
17. The storage container according to claim 2, characterized in
that the storage container further comprises a seal element
arranged in an annular groove of the lid, and wherein the lid cam
surfaces are brought into abutment on and engagement with the body
cam surfaces to bias the seal element against the inner wall of the
container body, thereby creating a seal between the container body
and the lid, and the seal element is released when the lid cam
surfaces are disengaged from the body cam surfaces.
18. The storage container according to claim 2, characterized in
that the lid has a pivotal side detachably pivotal on the container
body and an implementing side opposite to the pivotal side.
19. The storage container according to claim 18, characterized in
that the pivotal side of the lid comprises a downwardly extending
portion having an inverted T shape, the downwardly extending
portion comprising an upright element and a transverse element
transversely extending from the upright element, wherein a pivotal
point forms outwardly at each of two opposite ends of the
transverse element; and two lugs in spaced-apart fashion are formed
on one side wall of the container body, each lug having a slot
therein, wherein the two lugs are positioned such that the two
pivotal points of the downwardly extending portion are movably
received in the respective slots.
20. The storage container according to claim 19, characterized in
that the slot is L-shaped, comprising a horizontal slot portion and
a vertical slot portion, and the pivotal point is movable in the
horizontal slot portion between a distal end in communication with
the vertical slot portion and a proximal end away from the vertical
slot portion, and wherein the lid is detachable from the container
body when the pivotal point is positioned at the distal end, and
locked to the container body to close the open top when the pivotal
point is positioned at the proximal end.
Description
[0001] This non-provisional application claims priorities from U.S.
Provisional Application No. 62/764,930, filed on Aug. 16, 2018, and
U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/833,077, filed on Apr. 12,
2019, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference
in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates generally to the field of storage
containers. More specifically, the present invention relates to a
storage container provided with a lid, in which the lid and a
container body of the container have complementarily interfitting
elements to guide the lid to move transversely relative to the
container body, thereby enabling easy closing and opening of the
container in a sealing manner.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Containers generally come with a cover or lid. Some
containers for items that need to be kept fresh, such as food, have
a lid that can form an air-tight and/or water-tight with the
container. This kind of sealing can be achieved by a friction-fit
lid. However, both closing and opening of the lid become difficult
due to the tight friction between the lid and the container wall.
Another way to seal the container with a lid is to provide latches
on all four sides of the container. However, the use of the latches
not only increases the production cost of the lid, but also
involves four latches for closing and opening the lid, so it is
troublesome to use and rather difficult to open the container, and
a relatively large manual force is required.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 3,750,822 provides a closure for containers,
more specifically for jars, bottles, cans, and the like. Such
closure includes a seal press that fits tightly against the inner
wall of the container, in which the sealing pressure can be quickly
and reliably produced and relieved, thereby making possible a quick
operation of the closure.
[0005] EP 20080461 also discloses a lid for a storage container,
including a button that can be movably carried by the lid, and a
seal element carried by the lid and shiftable between a compressed
state for sealingly engageable with the container wall structure
when the lid is in the closed position and a non-compressed state
for disengaging from the wall structure.
[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a container lid which can be
sealably attached to and removed from the container with ease.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention has been developed to fulfill the
above needs, and therefore has a main object of the provision of a
storage container with a lid that can be used to seal the
container, and the mechanism for opening and closing the container
is easy to manufacture, and simple and effortless to operate.
[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
storage container having a lid which is easy to open and convenient
to clean.
[0009] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide a storage container having a lid, in which a sealing
element can create a good sealing effect under the functioning of
the interfitting elements of the lid and the container body which
are designed to complementarily interfit with each other.
[0010] These and other objects and advantages of the present
invention are achieved by providing a storage container according
to the present invention, the storage container comprising: [0011]
a container body having a bottom, a side wall extending upwardly
from the bottom, an internal storage space surrounded by the side
wall, a top edge and an open top defined by the top edge, [0012] a
lid placed on the container body for opening and closing the open
top, comprising a plate-shaped portion and a neck portion extending
downwardly from at least a part of opposite sides of the
plate-shaped portion, and [0013] an actuating apparatus configured
to actuate the lid to move between a closed position where the
storage container is closed and a release position where the
storage container is ready to open, [0014] wherein one or more body
cam surfaces are arranged on an outer surface of the side wall of
the container body at one or more positions adjacent to the open
top, and one or more lid cam surfaces are arranged on an inner side
surface of the neck portion of the lid in such a manner that the
lid cam surfaces are configured to oppose the body cam surfaces
respectively, and [0015] wherein the lid is locked in the closed
position by moving the lid in a first direction so as to bring the
lid cam surfaces into abutment on and engage with the body cam
surfaces, and the lid is moved to the release position by moving
the lid in a second direction so as to disengage the lid cam
surfaces from the body cam surface.
[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the storage container further
comprises a handle having a pivot through which the handle is
pivotally mounted on the lid, and the actuating apparatus is
configured as a gear rack and pinion mechanism, the gear rack and
pinion mechanism comprising: [0017] a gear rack arranged on a
flange of the side wall of the container body, and [0018] at least
one gear portion engageable with the gear rack, wherein the gear
portion is connected to the pivot of the handle and defines a
plurality of pinions, [0019] wherein pivotal movement of the handle
relative to the lid drives the gear portion to rotate so that the
plurality of pinions alternately engage with the gear rack, thereby
moving the lid to cause the lid cam surfaces to engage with or
disengage from the respective body cam surfaces.
[0020] Preferably, the gear portion may comprise a base, the base
comprising a plate element having a first end which extends
transversely from the pivot of the handle, and a second end from
which the plurality of pinions extend downwardly. The neck portion
of the lid may comprise a cutout to allow passing of the pivot of
the handle therethrough, the pivot being held pivotally in place.
In some cases, the container body further comprises one or more
guiding protrusions on a same side of the body cam surfaces to
guide positioning of the lid relative to the container body and
guide the lid to move between the closed position and the release
position.
[0021] In another preferred embodiment, the actuating apparatus is
configured as a locking flap foldably or pivotally connected to the
container body, and the locking flap defines a locked position
where the lid is locked by the locking flap in the closed position,
and an unlocked position where the lid is releasable to the release
position.
[0022] In a specific embodiment, the locking flap is foldably or
pivotally connected to the side wall of the container body, the
locking flap having a first end portion provided with a snap-fit
projection. The plate-shaped portion of the lid together with a
portion of a lip extending downwardly from the plate-shaped portion
define a snap-fit groove, wherein the snap-fit projection is
engageable with the snap-fit groove when the locking flap is folded
or pivots downwardly into the locked position, and is disengageable
from the snap-fit groove when the locking flap is folded or pivots
upwardly into the unlocked position.
[0023] In another specific embodiment, the locking flap is foldably
or pivotally connected to a connecting portion extending upwardly
from the top edge of the container body, the locking flap having at
least one snap-fit projection in operative cooperation with an
snap-fit groove formed on the plate-shaped portion of the lid,
wherein the snap-fit projection is configured to come into contact
with the snap-fit groove to drive the lid to move to the closed
position in the first direction during the process of folding or
pivoting the locking flap downwardly to the locked position, and
also come into contact with the snap-fit groove to drive the lid to
move to the release position in the second direction during the
process of folding or pivoting the locking flap upwardly to the
unlocked position. The locking flap comprises a plate-like piece
foldably or pivotally connected to the connecting portion, and a
L-shaped element extending downwardly from the plate-like piece,
wherein the plate-like piece, the L-shaped element, and the
connecting portion form together a channel for receiving an
inwardly recessed portion of the lid, and wherein the snap-fit
projection is arranged at a bottom of the L-shaped element.
[0024] According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the lid has a pivotal side detachably pivotal on the
container body and an implementing side opposite to the pivotal
side. The pivotal side of the lid comprises a downwardly extending
portion having an inverted T shape, the downwardly extending
portion comprising an upright element and a transverse element
transversely extending from the upright element, wherein a pivotal
point forms outwardly at each of two opposite ends of the
transverse element; and two lugs in spaced-apart fashion are formed
on one side wall of the container body, each lug having a slot
therein, wherein the two lugs are positioned such that the two
pivotal points of the downwardly extending portion are movably
received in the respective slots. The slot may be L-shaped,
comprising a horizontal slot portion and a vertical slot portion,
and the pivotal point is movable in the horizontal slot portion
between a distal end in communication with the vertical slot
portion and a proximal end away from the vertical slot portion. The
lid is detachable from the container body when the pivotal point is
positioned at the distal end, and locked to the container body to
close the open top when the pivotal point is positioned at the
proximal end.
[0025] In another specific embodiment, one or more spaced-apart
tabs extending downwardly from the lid are provided on the
implementing side of the lid, each of the tabs having a hook member
at a free end thereof. A flange is formed on the side wall of the
container body, and one or more through holes are positioned on the
flange. The through holes are sized and positioned so that the
respective tabs are detachably and movably received in the through
holes, or vice versa, that is, one or more of the through holes are
formed on the implementing side of the lid, and one or more of the
tabs are provided on the side wall of the container body.
Preferably, the through hole is provided as a stepped hole for
engagement with the hook member when it moves in the stepped hole
to a position away from the container body so as to lock the lid in
the closed position, and the hook member disengages from the
stepped hole when it moves in the stepped hole to a position
adjacent to the container body so as to render the lid in the
release position.
[0026] In order for an aesthetic and pleasing appearance of the
storage container, the handle is configured to rest on the
implementing side of the lid in the closed position, and the
pivotal side of the lid is provided with a side rim surrounding the
pivotal side. The side rim and the handle are structured and sized
to be complementary to each other in a manner that they form
together an annular ring that snaps fit into the outer
circumferential edge of the lid.
[0027] In order to create a better sealing effect, the storage
container may further comprise a seal element which may be provided
as a seal ring in a specific embodiment, and also a seal assembly
in other forms. Preferably, the seal ring may be arranged in an
annular groove of the lid, and the lid cam surfaces are brought
into abutment on and engagement with the body cam surfaces to bias
the seal ring against the inner wall of the container body, thereby
creating a seal between the container body and the lid. The seal
ring is released when the lid cam surfaces are disengaged from the
body cam surfaces.
[0028] Other objects, features, technical effects and advantages of
the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed
description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a storage container
constructed according to a first embodiment of the present
invention, wherein the container is in a hermetically closed
state.
[0030] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the storage container shown
in FIG. 1 with a lid placed on a container body, wherein the
storage container is in a ready to open state.
[0031] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the storage container shown
in FIG. 1, wherein the storage container is in an open state.
[0032] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the container body of the
storage container shown in FIG. 1.
[0033] FIG. 5 is a front view of the container body of the storage
container shown in FIG. 1.
[0034] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a handle of the storage
container shown in FIG. 1.
[0035] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a side rim of the lid
complementary to the handle shown in FIG. 6.
[0036] FIG. 8A is a perspective top view of the lid of the storage
container shown in FIG. 1.
[0037] FIG. 8B is a perspective bottom view of the lid of the
storage container shown in FIG. 1.
[0038] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the lid shown in FIG. 1,
wherein the handle and the side rim together form an annular ring
that snaps fit into the outer peripheral edge of the lid.
[0039] FIG. 10A is a schematic view of an exemplary gear rack and
pinion mechanism when the storage container shown in FIG. 1 is in a
hermetically closed state.
[0040] FIG. 10B is a schematic view of the gear rack and pinion
mechanism when the storage container shown in FIG. 2 is in a ready
to open state.
[0041] FIG. 11A is a schematic view of a pivotal point positioned
in the slot of the lug in correspondence to FIG. 10A.
[0042] FIG. 11B is a schematic view of the pivotal point positioned
in the slot of the lug in correspondence to FIG. 10B.
[0043] FIG. 12A is a schematic view of a body cam surface engaged
with a corresponding lid cam surface in correspondence to FIG.
10A.
[0044] FIG. 12B is a schematic view of the body cam surface
disengaged from the corresponding lid cam surface in correspondence
to FIG. 10B.
[0045] FIG. 13A is a schematic view of a hook element positioned in
the stepped hole in correspondence to FIG. 10A.
[0046] FIG. 13B is a schematic view of the hook element positioned
in the stepped hole in correspondence to FIG. 10B.
[0047] FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view taken along lines I-I and
I'-I' of FIG. 1.
[0048] FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view taken along line II-II and
II'-II' of FIG. 2.
[0049] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a storage container
constructed according to a second embodiment of the present
invention, wherein the container is in an open state.
[0050] FIG. 17 is a schematic view of the storage container shown
in FIG. 16 in a hermetically closed state.
[0051] FIG. 18 is a schematic view of the storage container shown
in FIG. 16 in a ready to open state.
[0052] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a storage container
constructed according to a third embodiment of the present
invention, wherein the container is in an closed state.
[0053] FIG. 20 is a schematic view of the storage container shown
in FIG. 19 in a hermetically closed state.
[0054] FIG. 21 is a schematic view of the storage container shown
in FIG. 19 in a ready to open state.
[0055] In the various figures of the drawings, like reference
numbers are used to designate like parts for the sake of
clarity.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0056] While this invention is illustrated and described in
preferred embodiments, the storage container of the invention may
be produced in many different configurations, sizes, forms and
materials.
[0057] Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 to 15 illustrate a
storage container 10 constructed in accordance with a first
preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1
to 3, the storage container 10 comprises a container body 18 and a
lid 16 placed over the container body 18 to close or open the
container body 18. The lid 16 has a pivotal side 162 and an
implementing side 163 opposite to the pivotal side. The container
body 18 and the lid 16 substantially have a shape similar to a
cubic shape or a rectangular cylindrical shape as shown. Other
shapes and structures, such as shapes of sphere or circle, are
possible for the container body 18 and the lid 16 of the present
invention and fall within the scope of the present invention. The
present invention is not limited to a particular container body and
a particular peripheral shape or a particular overall contour of
the lid.
[0058] FIGS. 3 to 5 show the structural details of the container
body 18. The container body 18 has a bottom 181, a continuous side
wall 182 extending upwardly from the bottom, an internal storage
space surrounded by the side wall 182, a top edge 183 and an open
top defined by the top edge 183. In this embodiment, the side wall
182 and the bottom 181 are substantially rectangular.
[0059] FIGS. 4 and 5 are the container body 18 in perspective view
and in front elevation view, respectively. The container body 18
comprises a flange 184 formed on the side wall 182 adjacent to the
top edge 183, and a gear rack 132 is arranged on the flange 184.
The gear rack 132 is provided to cooperate with a gear portion 131
discussed herein below. The gear rack 132 and the gear portion 131
constitute a gear rack and pinion mechanism of the present
invention useful as an actuating apparatus for actuating the lid 16
to pivot between a closed position where the container 10 is closed
and a release position where the container 10 is to be opened.
[0060] Four protrusions 185 are arranged above the flange 184 on
opposite sides of the rectangular cylindrical container body, each
side having two of the protrusions 185. A side surface of each of
the protrusions 185 facing the bottom 181 of the container body
forms a body cam surface 1852. In the illustrated container body,
two spaced-apart protrusions 185 having a respective body cam
surface 1852 are arranged on a side wall of one side of the
container body. It would be conceivable to have one or more
protrusions 185 having a respective body cam surface 1852 on the
side wall of the container body. In addition, a guiding protrusion
186 is arranged for each of the protrusions 185 on the same side of
the corresponding protrusion 185 and is level with the
corresponding protrusion 185 to guide the positioning of the lid 16
relative to the container body 18 and also guide the movement of
the lid 16 relative to the container body 18.
[0061] Referring again to FIG. 4, two lugs 187 in spaced-apart
fashion are formed on a side of the container body 18 corresponding
to the pivotal side 162 of the lid 16, and the lugs 187 are
arranged on the flange 184. Each of the lugs 187 comprises a slot
1871 therein. The slot 1871 is provided as a L-shaped slot,
comprising a horizontal slot portion 1872 and a vertical slot
portion 1873. Two spaced-apart through holes 1841 are formed on a
side of the container body corresponding to the implementing side
163 of the lid 16, and the through holes 1841 are arranged on the
flange 184. In this embodiment, each of the through holes 1841 is
provided as a stepped hole having a lower hole portion and an upper
hole portion having a dimension smaller than the lower hole portion
so as to form a step 1842.
[0062] The pivotal side 162 of the lid 16 is pivotably mounted on
the top edge 183 (see FIG. 3) at one side of the container body 18
in a detachable manner, so that the lid 16 is pivotal relative to
the container body 18 between a closed position where the lid 16 is
coupled with the container body 18 to close the open top of the
container body 18, and a release position where the lid 16 pivots
away from the container body 18 to expose the open top. The pivotal
side of the lid is further provided with a side rim 14 surrounding
the pivotal side 162. In this embodiment, the side rim 14 is a
U-shaped element having two ends 142 and is fixedly mounted on the
pivotal side 162 of the lid 16, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9.
[0063] The storage container 10 comprises a handle 12 pivotally
mounted on the lid 16, and the handle 12 rests on the implementing
side 163 of the lid 16 when the storage container 10 is in a closed
state. The handle 12 has a grasping piece 121 protruded outwardly
from a portion thereof for providing ease of pivoting the handle to
implement the opening and closing of the container body 18. As
shown in FIG. 6, the handle 12 is also formed as a U-shaped element
having two ends 122. A pivot 123 is arranged on an inner side
surface of each end 122 of the handle 12, the pivot 123 having one
end fixed to the inner side surface of the end 122 for pivotally
coupling the handle 12 to the lid 16, which will be discussed in
detail below. The other end of the pivot 123 is transversely
connected to the gear portion 131 of the gear rack and pinion
mechanism, and the gear portion 131 comprises a substantially
triangular base 1312 and a plurality of pinions 1314 extending from
an underside of the triangular base 1312. The illustrated gear
portion comprises three pinions. The gear portion 131 is in
cooperation with the gear rack 132 arranged on the flange 184 of
the container body 18, both of which constitute a gear rack and
pinion mechanism useful as an actuating apparatus for actuating the
lid 16 to pivot between its closed position and its release
position. The pivotal movement of the handle 12 relative to the lid
enables to drive the gear portion 131 to rotate, so that the three
pinions 1314 alternately engage with the gear rack 132 to drive the
lid to move, which in turn causes the lid cam surfaces to engage
with or disengage from the body cam surfaces. This will also be
discussed below. Although the gear rack and pinion mechanism in the
illustrated embodiment comprises three triangular pinions 1314 that
alternately engage with the gear rack, it would be understood that
the gear rack and pinion mechanism may be configured to comprise
two or more than four pinions which may have other shapes according
to the actual needs.
[0064] The handle 12 and the side rim 14 are structured and sized
to be complementary to each other, especially the two ends 142 of
the side rim 14 and the two ends 122 of the handle 12 are
complementary in shape to each other, in a manner that the side rim
14 and the handle 12 together form an annular ring that snugly
snaps fit into the outer peripheral edge of the lid (see FIG. 1).
The annular ring of this structure not only renders the storage
container 10 to have a pleasing appearance, but also provides
protection for various structural components enclosed by the
annular ring.
[0065] FIGS. 8A and 8B show the structural details of the lid 16.
The lid 16 comprises a plate-shaped portion 166, an outer lip 167
and an inner lip 168 extending downwardly along the periphery of
the plate-shaped portion 166, and two neck portions 164 extending
downwardly from a portion of the outer lip 167 on the opposite
sides of the plate-shaped portion 166. There is a gap between the
outer lip 167 and the inner lip 168 to define an annular groove 161
for receiving a seal element. As illustrated, the neck portions 164
extend from the two sides of the lid in correspondence to the two
sides of the container body 18 where the protrusions 185 are
located. Two bulges 1641 are formed on an inner side surface of
each neck portion 164, and have a respective side surface which
faces the plate-shaped portion 166 and which is configured to form
a lid cam surface 1642. The lid cam surface 1642 is arranged on the
inner side surface of the neck portion 164 in such a manner that
the lid cam surface 1642 is configured to oppose the corresponding
body cam surface 1852. When the lid 16 moves in the first
direction, for example, moves transversely toward the left
direction shown in FIG. 14, the lid cam surface 1642 is driven to
move transversely in the left direction to abut against and engage
with the corresponding body cam surface 1852, so that the lid 16 is
locked in the closed position, as shown in FIG. 14. When the lid 16
moves in the second direction, for example, moves transversely
toward the right direction shown in FIG. 14, the lid cam surface
1642 is driven to move transversely in the right direction to
disengage from the body cam surface 1852, so that the lid moves
into its release position, as shown in FIG. 15.
[0066] The body cam surface 1852 of the container body 18 and the
corresponding lid cam surface 1642 of the lid 16 are configured to
oppose to each other in a manner so that they are shaped and
positioned to correspond to and be engageable with each other. In
some cases, the body cam surface 1852 and the lid cam surface 1642
are shaped as opposite inclined surfaces, so that they are easily
engageable with each other during the movement thereof.
[0067] When the lid 16 is in the closed position, a seal element
(not shown) received in the annular groove 161 is biased against
the container body 18 to create a seal between the lid 16 and the
container body 18. The seal element located between the lid 16 and
the container body 18 helps to preserve items such as food stored
in the container body 18. When the lid 16 is in the release
position, the seal element in the annular groove 161 is released to
resume to its original loose and unpressed state where the lid 16
is easily removed from the container body 18 to access the items
stored in the container.
[0068] In the embodiment as illustrated, two bulges 1641 having a
respective lid cam surface 1642 are arranged on the lid 16. It
would be appreciated that the number of the bulges 1641 with their
respective lid cam surfaces 1642 corresponds to the number of the
protrusions 185 of the container body with their respective cam
surfaces 1852.
[0069] Turning back to FIGS. 8A and 8B, each neck portion 164 in
this embodiment comprises a cutout 1643 which is substantially
arranged in the middle of the neck portion 164 to allow passing of
the pivot 123 of the handle 12 precisely therethrough and to
pivotally holds the pivot 123 in place. The annular ring formed by
the side rim 14 and the handle 12 covers up the cutout 1643, and at
the same time protects the pivot 123 and the gear portion 131
enclosed by the annular ring.
[0070] The pivotal side 162 of the lid comprises a downwardly
extending portion 165, at least a portion of which is configured to
be pivotably insertable into the two lugs 187 of the container body
18, whereby the lid 16 is pivotably mounted on one side of the
container body 18 in a detachable manner. As shown in FIG. 8A, the
downwardly extending portion 165 in this embodiment has an inverted
T shape, comprising an upright element 1651 and a transverse
element 1652. The opposite ends of the transverse element 1652
extends outwardly to form two pivotal points 1653. The two pivotal
points 1653 are movably received in the respective slots 1871 of
the lugs 187, so that the lid 16 is pivotably mounted on the
container body 18.
[0071] As described above, the slot 1871 is L-shaped, and comprises
the horizontal slot portion 1872 and the vertical slot portion
1873. Each of the two pivotal point 1653 of the downwardly
extending portion 165 is movably received within the horizontal
slot portion 1872 between a distal end 1874 of the horizontal slot
portion 1872 which is in communication with the vertical slot
portion 1873, and a proximal end 1875 of the horizontal slot
portion 1872 which is away from the vertical slot portion 1872.
When the pivotal point 1653 of the downwardly extending portion 165
moves to the distal end 1874, the lid 16 is in the release position
where the lid 16 can be separated from the container body 18. When
the pivotal point 1653 of the downwardly extending portion 165
moves to the proximal end 1875, the lid is in the closed position
where the lid is hermetically locked onto the container body
18.
[0072] The implementing side 163 of the lid comprises a pair of
spaced-apart tabs 169 extending downwardly from the lid 16, each of
the tabs 169 having a hook element 1691 protruding outwardly at a
free end thereof. The pair of tabs 169 is positioned to correspond
to the two spaced-apart stepped through holes 1841 arranged on the
container body 18, so that the tabs 169 are detachably and movably
received in the respective through holes 1841. Specifically, the
hook element 1691 of the tab 169 is movably received in the lower
hole portion of the stepped through hole 1841 and engageable with
the step 1842 of the through hole 1841 when the hook element 1691
received in the lower hole portion of the through hole 1841 moves
to a position away from the container body 18, thereby to lock the
lid 16 to the closed position where the lid is locked to the
container body 18. The hook element 1691 of the tab 169 is
disengageable from the step 1842 of the through hole 1841 when the
hook element 1691 received in the lower hole portion of the through
hole 1841 moves to a position close to the container body 18,
thereby to release the lid 16 into the release position where the
lid is ready for separation from the container body 18.
[0073] In a variation of positioning the tabs 169 and the through
holes 1841, the pair of tabs may be formed on the edge of the
container body 18, and the stepped through holes or the stepped
grooves may be positioned on the implementing side 163 of the lid
16. Such a variation can achieve the same function.
[0074] FIGS. 10A to 13B and FIGS. 14 and 15 are schematic views
showing the positions of the relevant parts when the container body
18 is in the hermetically closed state and in the ready to open
state, respectively. An exemplary mechanism useful to hermetically
closing and opening the storage container 10 is described in detail
below with reference to FIGS. 10A to 13B and FIGS. 14 and 15.
[0075] First, the two pivotal points 1653 of the downwardly
extending portion 165 of the lid 16 are inserted into the slots
1871 of the two lugs 187 of the container body 18, so that the
downwardly extending portion 165 of the lid 16 is pivotally
connected to the two lugs 187 of the container body 18, as shown in
FIG. 3.
[0076] Next, the lid 16 pivots downwardly relative to the container
body 18 to cover the open top of the container body 18, where the
storage container is in an unsealed and ready to open state as
shown in FIG. 2. Referring now to FIG. 11B, the pivotal point 1653
of the downwardly extending portion 165 is located at the distal
end 1874 of the slot 1871 to be in communication with the vertical
slot portion 1873, therefore the downwardly extending portion 165
is allowed to disengage from the slot 1871 and thus allow for
releasing or separation of the lid 16 from the container body 18,
that is, the lid is in the release position. Referring now to FIG.
15, the handle 12 is pressed down toward the lid 16, enabling to
pivot the handle 12 downwardly relative to the lid until it fully
rests on the implementing side 163 of the lid, as shown in FIG. 14.
This downward pivotal movement of the handle 12 drives rotation of
the gear portions 131 arranged at both ends thereof toward the
implementing side 163 of the lid, so that the middle pinion of the
three pinions 1314 is engaged with the gear rack 132 arranged on
the flange 184 of the container body 18 (see FIG. 10A), which in
turn causes the lid 16 to move transversely in the direction toward
the implementing side 163 thereof. This transverse movement of the
lid 16 results in movement of the bulge 1641 of the lid toward the
protrusion 185 of the container body until the lid cam surface 1642
on the bulge 1641 is brought into abutment on and engages with the
body cam surface 1852 of the protrusion 185 (see FIG. 12A) to lock
the lid 16 in the closed position. Under the condition that the lid
cam surface 1642 is engaged with the body cam surface 1852, the
seal element received within the annular groove 161 of the lid 16
is biased to circumferentially deform and press against the inner
side surface of the side wall 182 of the container body 18, so that
the lid 16 and the container body 18 are tightly abutted to form a
sealed closure. At the same time, each of the two pivotal points
1653 of the downwardly extending portion 165 of the lid 16 moves
within the slot 1871 of the lugs 187 of the container body 18 away
from the distal end 1874 of the slot 1871 and reaches the proximal
end 1875 (see FIG. 11A). In addition, the hook element 1691 of the
tab 169 of the lid moves in the through hole 1841 of the container
body 18 in the direction toward the container body 18 until it
engages with the step 1842 (see FIG. 13A). Therefore, the seal
element is biased to press and deform so that the lid 16 is urged
into tight abutment with the container body 18, thereby achieving a
hermetical closing of the storage container 10.
[0077] When it is needed for opening the lid 16 to store and access
the items in the storage container 18, the handle 12 of the storage
container in the hermetically closed state (see FIG. 14) pivots
upwardly relative to the lid 16 by manipulating the grasping piece
121 of the handle 12 (see FIG. 15), and the storage container is
again in the unsealed and ready to open state. The upward pivotal
movement of the handle 12 drives the gear portions 131 arranged at
both ends thereof to rotate toward the pivotal side 162 of the lid,
so that the right one of the three pinions 1314 shown in FIG. 15
engages with the gear rack 132 arranged on the flange 184 of the
container body 18 (see FIG. 10B), which in turn causes the lid 16
to move transversely in the direction toward the pivotal side 162
thereof. This transverse movement of the lid 16 results in movement
of the bulge 1641 of the lid away from the protrusion 185 of the
container body until the lid cam surface 1642 of the bulge 1641 is
disengaged from the body cam surface 1852 of the protrusion 185
(see FIG. 12B), and the lid 16 is in the release position. Under
the condition that the lid cam surface 1642 is disengageable from
the body cam surface 1852, the seal element in the annular groove
161 of the lid 16 is not biased and becomes loose and unpressed. At
the same time, each of the two pivotal points 1653 of the
downwardly extending portion 165 of the lid 16 moves within the
slot 1871 of the lugs 187 of the container body 18 to the distal
end 1874 of the slot 1871 (see FIG. 11B). In addition, the hook
element 1691 of the tab 169 of the lid moves simultaneously in the
through hole 1841 of the container body 18 in the direction away
from the container body 18 and disengages from the step 1842 (see
FIG. 13B). Under the circumstance where the seal element is loose
and unpressed and the relevant parts are unlocked and disengaged,
the lid 16 can pivot upwardly with respect to the container body 18
with ease to expose the open top of the container body and to
remove the lid 16 from the container body 18.
[0078] The lugs 187, the protrusions 185, and the through holes
1841 of the container body 18 as well as the downwardly extending
portions 165, the bulges 1641, and the hook elements 1691 of the
lid 16 are configured and positioned to cooperate with the gear
rack and pinion mechanism functioned as the actuating apparatus.
The user can easily and quickly seal the storage container or
release the lid to store and access the items in the container
body.
[0079] FIGS. 16 to 18 show a storage container 20 constructed
according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The
storage container 20 of this embodiment is substantially
structurally same as the storage container 10 of the first
embodiment, but differs in the actuating apparatus for actuating
the lid to move between the closed position and the release
position. The actuating apparatus of this second embodiment is
configured as configured a locking flap 22 foldably or pivotably
connected to the container body, instead of the gear rack and
pinion mechanism adopted in the first embodiment. The locking flap
22 is foldably or pivotably connected to a top edge 183 of one side
wall of the container body 18, said side wall being positioned to
correspond to the implementing side 163 of the lid, as shown in
FIG. 16. The locking flap 22 comprises an manipulation portion 231
having a first end portion 232 and a second end 234. The first end
portion 232 is foldably or pivotably connected to the top edge 183
of the container body 18, and is provided with a snap-fit
projection 233. The second end 234 is a free end for the user to
manipulate. The plate-shaped portion 166 of the lid and a portion
of the outer lip 167 together define a snap-fit groove 1644
engageable with the snap-fit projection 233. Specifically, the
second end 234 of the locking flap 22 is folded or pivots
downwardly to cause the lid 16 to move transversely in the
direction toward the implementing side 163 thereof, so that the
snap-fit projection 233 is engaged with the snap-fit groove 1644
(see FIG. 17), where the locking flap 22 is locked in its locked
position. As discussed above in the first embodiment, this
transverse movement of the lid 16 results in the movement of the
bulge 1641 of the lid toward the protrusion 185 of the container
body until the lid cam surface 1642 of the bulge 1641 is brought
into abutment on and engages with the body cam surface 1852 of the
protrusion 185 to lock the lid 16 in the closed position. The
second end 234 of the locking flap is folded or pivots upwardly to
cause the lid 16 to move transversely in the direction toward the
pivotal side 162 thereof, so that the snap-fit projection 233 is
disengaged from the snap-fit groove 1644 (see FIG. 18), where the
locking flap 22 is in its unlocked position. As discussed above in
the first embodiment, this transverse movement of the lid 16
results in the movement of the bulge 1641 of the lid away from the
protrusion 185 of the container body until the lid cam surface 1642
of the bulge 1641 is disengaged from the body cam surface 1852 of
the protrusion 185, and the lid 16 is released into the release
position.
[0080] FIGS. 19 to 21 show a storage container 30 constructed
according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The
storage container 30 of this embodiment is substantially
structurally same as the storage container 20 of the second
embodiment, but differs in a locking flap 32 foldably or pivotably
connected to a connecting portion 1831 extending upwardly from the
top edge 183 of the container body 18, and also in the implementing
side 163 of the lid 16 comprising an inwardly recessed portion
1661, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21. The locking flap 32 comprises a
plate-shaped element 321 and a L-shaped element 322 extending
downwardly from the plate-shaped element 321. The plate-shaped
element 321, the L-shaped element 322, and the connecting portion
1831 together form a channel 324 to receive the above-mentioned
inwardly recessed portion 1661 of lid. The locking flap 32 further
comprises a snap-fit projection 323 extending downwardly from the
underside of the L-shaped element, and the snap-fit projection 323
is configured to operatively cooperate with a snap-fit groove 1662
formed on the plate-shaped portion of the lid. Like the locking
flap 22 of the second embodiment, the locking flap 32 of this
embodiment is folded or pivots downwardly, with the L-shaped
element 322 movable to come into contact with the inwardly recessed
portion 1661 of the lid, thereby causing the lid 16 to move
transversely in the direction toward the implementing side 163
until the snap-fit projection 323 engages with the snap-fit groove
1662 (see FIG. 20) to loke the locking flap 32 in its locked
position. As discussed in the above first embodiment, this
transverse movement of the lid 16 results in the movement of the
bulge 1641 of the lid toward the protrusion 185 of the container
body until the lid cam surface 1642 of the bulge 1641 is brought
into abutment on and engages with the body cam surface 1852 of the
protrusion 185 to lock the lid 16 in the closed position. When the
locking flap 32 is folded or pivots upwardly, the L-shaped element
322 is caused to come into contact with one side of the snap-fit
groove 1662 of the lid to urge the lid 16 to move transversely in
the direction toward the pivotal side 162 thereof, and finally
disengage the snap-fit projection 323 from the snap-fit groove 1662
(see FIG. 21), and the locking flap 32 moves to its unlocked
position. This transverse movement of the lid 16 results in the
movement of the bulge 1641 of the lid away from the protrusion 185
of the container body until the lid cam surface 1642 of the bulge
1641 is disengaged from the body cam surface 1852 of the protrusion
185, and the lid 16 is released into the release position.
[0081] Various embodiments of the present invention having lids and
container bodies of specific sizes and shapes are described.
However, it should be understood that the lids and container bodies
may also have any suitable sizes and/or shapes to accommodate
different storage items.
[0082] Therefore, the present invention provides a storage
container having a lid and a container body which have
complementarily interfitting elements. The actuating apparatuses in
different forms discussed above work together with the
complementarily interfitting elements to actuate the opening and
hermetical closing of the container, which allows the user to open
and close the container with ease, rendering the operation simple
and effortless.
[0083] Although the present invention is described in terms of what
is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred
embodiment, it should be understood that the present invention is
not limited to the disclosed embodiments, and the present invention
is intended to comprise various modifications and equivalent
structures included within the spirit and protection scope of the
claims. The present invention may be modified and changed without
departing from the novel aspects of the invention as defined in the
claims, and the application is limited only by the scope of
protection of the claims.
DRAWINGS REFERENCES
[0084] 10, 20, 30 Storage container [0085] 12 Handle [0086] 121
Grasping piece [0087] 122 End of the handle [0088] 123 Pivot [0089]
131 Gear portion [0090] 1312 Base of the gear portion [0091] 1314
Pinion [0092] 132 Gear rack [0093] 14 Side rim [0094] 142 End of
the side rim [0095] 16 Lid [0096] 161 Annular groove [0097] 162
Pivotal side of the lid [0098] 163 Implementing side of the lid
[0099] 164 Neck portion of the lid [0100] 1641 Bulge [0101] 1642
Lid cam surface [0102] 1643 Cutout [0103] 1644 Snap-fit groove
[0104] 165 Downwardly extending portion of the lid [0105] 1651
Upright element [0106] 1652 Transverse element [0107] 1653 Pivotal
point [0108] 166 Plate-shaped portion of the lid [0109] 1661
Inwardly recessed portion of the lid [0110] 1662 Snap-fit groove
[0111] 167 Outer lip of the lid [0112] 168 Inner lip of the lid
[0113] 169 Tab of the lid [0114] 1691 Hook element [0115] 18
Container body [0116] 181 Bottom of the container body [0117] 182
Side wall of the container body [0118] 183 Top edge of the
container body [0119] 1831 Connecting portion [0120] 184 Flange
[0121] 1841 Through hole [0122] 1842 Step of through hole [0123]
185 Protrusion [0124] 1852 Body cam surface [0125] 186 Guiding
protrusion [0126] 187 Lug [0127] 1871 Lug slot [0128] 1872
Horizontal slot portion of the lug slot [0129] 1873 Vertical slot
portion of the lug slot [0130] 1874 Distal end of the horizontal
slot portion [0131] 1875 Proximal end of the horizontal slot
portion [0132] 22, 32 Locking flap [0133] 231 Manipulation portion
[0134] 232 First end portion of the manipulation portion [0135] 234
Second end of the manipulation portion [0136] 233, 323 Snap-fit
projection [0137] 321 Plate-shaped element [0138] 322 L-shaped
element [0139] 324 Channel
* * * * *